Language · Lesson 14 of 15

Collocation: words that go together

Learn the natural word combinations that examiners look for at Bands 7 and 8, using examples from our Speaking and Writing model answers.

45–60 minutes
Level B1+
7 exercises

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In this lesson you will

understand what collocation is and why it matters for your band score
choose the correct verb, adjective or preposition
use collocations from our Speaking and Writing model answers
build your own collocation notebook

Why it matters

What is collocation?

Collocations are words that naturally go together. We say make a decision, not do a decision, and heavy traffic, not strong traffic. There is often no logical reason, so you need to learn them as pairs.

Band	What the Speaking and Writing descriptors say
8	Skilful use of less common items “despite occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation”.
7	“An awareness of style and collocation is evident”, though inappropriate choices still occur.

Type	Examples
Verb + noun	make progress, take responsibility, have an impact, raise awareness
Adjective + noun	heavy traffic, serious problem, public transport
Adverb + adjective	highly likely, deeply concerned, widely available
Noun / verb + preposition	an increase in, depend on, responsible for

Part A

Common collocations

Exercise 1

Choose the verb

___ a decision
___ your homework
___ responsibility for something
___ an impact on something
___ attention to something
___ awareness of a problem
___ progress
___ research

Exercise 2

Choose the adjective

___ traffic
a ___ problem
___ transport
a ___ increase
___ coffee
___ energy

Exercise 3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide whether the words go together.

make a mistake
do a mistake
heavy rain
big rain
strongly agree
very agree
discuss the problem
discuss about the problem

Exercise 4

Add the preposition

There has been an increase prices.
Many people depend public transport.
Parents are responsible their children.
Technology has had an effect the way that people work.
The main reason this is the cost.
Solar power may be a solution this problem.

Part B

Collocations in our model answers

Collocations are useful in both parts of the test. Task 1 has its own common pairs, and our Speaking model answers are full of natural combinations.

Exercise 5

Task 1: describing data

a ___ rise (very quick)
a ___ fall (very small)
remain ___ (not change)
reach a ___ (the highest point)

Exercise 6

Speaking: natural combinations

These all come from our Speaking model answers.

a lifelong ___
a sense of ___
broaden your ___
burn the midnight ___
go a long ___
stuck in ___

Part C

How to learn collocations

Notice them. When you read a model answer, underline words that go together.
Record them by topic. Under environment, write reduce emissions, renewable energy, raise awareness.
Check a dictionary. A learner's dictionary shows which words go together.
Use what you are sure of. Band 6 notes that a “risk-taker” may use a wider range “but higher degrees of inaccuracy or inappropriacy”. Practise a new collocation before you use it in the test.

Exercise 7

Use them yourself

Write one sentence with each collocation.

raise awareness of
have an impact on
a significant increase in

Now say it. Answer a frequently reported Part 1 question out loud and try to use at least two collocations from this lesson or from your vocabulary lessons.

Press “Give me a question”.

Press Record, answer out loud, then listen back.

Lesson written for Tips4IELTS. Examples come from our Speaking and Writing model answers.